Found his bedroom

[10_Points or better]

I have a buck running around that I have stalked with a trail cam for 2 years. I saw him twice last season with a bow in my hand, never got a shot. I am running 2 feeders one up on a hill, one down in the thick brush by the swamp. I noticed he was always showing up on the lower trail cam first. Last weekend I was out following trails looking for sheds and stand sites around the swamp. I was following a trail that forked and looked to the one side and noticed the tell tail dragging hoof prints on one of the trails, I followed that past 2 rubs, thru some big buck crap right to a bed melted into the snow. I checked the bed this morning with the fresh snow, it was melted down, checked the trail cam he ate at 6:45 checked the hoof prints and he had headed to bed, I didn't push him out either. My question is this do bucks use the same bedding area all year or is it possible that based on this years winter the buck is bedding closer to the food? I have a great stand site very close by but if the buck is bedded there it is impossible to get there without being seen or smelt.

[cornfedkiller]

I'll try to answer your questions the best I can.

My question is this do bucks use the same bedding area all year or is it possible that based on this years winter the buck is bedding closer to the food?

The answer to this is yes and no. If its in a spot that is nearly impossible to get to without being seen or smelled, the bed may be a primary bed. Now, bucks have multiple primary beds, which get used throughout the year. The difference between them usually is the wind advantage and food sources. Food sources that are typically available year after year will yield primary beds near them. Then, the difference between them is the wind advantage. Some of their beds work for the deer to smell whats coming from the west, or some from the east..you get what Im saying. There is USUALLY a wind advantage to the beds, and they will use that bed during those winds.

There are also alot of temporary beds this time of year, especially when there is this much snow on the ground and food is limited. Deer will bed near the food source for just a couple days, and then move onto a better food source in the spring/summer/fall, and bed in one of his primary beds near there.

I have a great stand site very close by but if the buck is bedded there it is impossible to get there without being seen or smelt.

You can be sure thats exactly why the bed is there. They dont just bed anywhere..not so much to do with your stand being there, but their beds are VERY strategically placed..they can usually see one direction and smell the other direction. They may also be somewhere that doesnt allow anything to sneak up on them from behind, etc. In hilly terrain, they are masters at using rising air thermals to bring scent from valleys up to them, while keeping the prevailing wind to their back, and smelling anything from behind them.

If he is bedded in that bed, and you walk out to your stand nearby, if you get seen or smelt, he may not bolt, I can guarantee you that he wont leave his bed til after dark. Once the summer rolls around, dont go near the bed (unless you can set up somehow to kill him very near it) or he will not be using that bed for long. Their bed is their sanctuary, they feel safe there. Human intrusion is not tolerated there, because they no longer feel safe once they know they have been found. Once they dont feel safe there anymore, they will move to a different bed..

[Grassbag251]

There are so many variables to everything, and if there is one thing I have learned from bucks I thought I had figured out it is... I didn’t have a clue. Now a days I try and learn a deer’s personality more so than trying to learn his routine.

I think Cornfed hit most the nails on the head as far as bedding patterns to answer your questioin. I tread very lightly when it comes to bedding areas. So you found his bedroom and that is good pertinent info, but give him that and respect it. If I want to hang out with a friend I go out and find them on the town, not barge into their bedroom lay on their bed and drink cocktails while watching the game. Give him a reason to get outta bed and take a stroll on the town, then make him pay for it.

[cornfedkiller]

.....So you found his bedroom and that is good pertinent info, but give him that and respect it...

...Give him a reason to get outta bed and take a stroll on the town, then make him pay for it....

If he knows you are onto him, he may not come out of his bedroom until after dark, and will return before first light...in that case, find a way to set up near his bed where you cant be seen or smelled (the beds do have a weakness somewhere), and kill him.. You only have one shot though, as he will know you were there after that..

I know guys that consistently set up 50-75 yards from buck beds.. But grassbag is right, you are probably better off leaving him alone there.

[10_Points or better]

I have watched that buck enter the property from the other end about a half mile from were he beds. I have been amazed how fast he gets to the feeder after I fill it. I have pics of him standing at the feeder just past the normal feeding time when I haven't fed yet and there he is standing at the feeder looking in the direction of the house like he is wondering were the heck I am. I have over 450 pictures of this buck from just last June, knowing were he sleeps from time to time will not make it any easier to shoot him. Were he beds and his direction of travel the terrain and brush in that area will only offer about a 4' shot window and it will be impossible to see him coming.